M. balfouri communal advice

[Gizalba]

Hi,

I am thinking about setting up a Monocentropus balfouri communal. From watching some videos (Tom Moran and Dave's Little Beasties), as well as looking at past posts on here, I gather that the following points are important:

- Making sure they are sac-mates/have grown up together
- Keeping them in a small enclosure relative to their size/number so they hopefully set up home together rather than creating their own territories
- Making sure they are well-fed to avoid cannibalism
- Keeping a larger group seems to have better outcomes than keeping just a few?

I have found communals of either 5 or 10 for sale. I was thinking of going for 10, due to the last point above and also in the hope that some will be females who will live longer, but I am still undecided.

I wondered if anyone with experience of this has anything to add/correct? In particular I wondered where in the UK I can buy a large enough vivarium with adequate ventilation once they are fully grown? (I will be getting slings but want to be prepared). I wondered if something like this would be suitable? >

Wooden Vivariums | Swell Reptiles

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[octanejunkie]

Most "communal advise" out there is rubbish, but you are not far off.

They need not be sac mates and you can introduce new members at rehousing events.

Size the enclosure depending on the size of the spiders in the community, and size of the community. You want to keep them in something smaller than larger so they remain "in touch" with one another,.so to speak. They are a collaborative species.

I have had community housing for as few as 2 and 5; both did fine. I currently have 2 communal setups:
One is a 20cm cube with 15 individuals of mixed size and origin.
The other is a 25x40 rectangular bin with mom and 40+ slings. They often crawl all over her.

I feed both enclosures weekly offering feeders in small groups, like 3-4 crickets or roaches at a time, so everyone gets a chance. Still, it's not uncommon for them to wrestle food from each other, literally tearing the food items apart. Eventually everyone gets a piece.

 

[Gizalba]

Most "communal advise" out there is rubbish, but you are not far off.

They need not be sac mates and you can introduce new members at rehousing events.

Size the enclosure depending on the size of the spiders in the community, and size of the community. You want to keep them in something smaller than larger so they remain "in touch" with one another,.so to speak. They are a collaborative species.

I have had community housing for as few as 2 and 5; both did fine. I currently have 2 communal setups:
One is a 20cm cube with 15 individuals of mixed size and origin.
The other is a 25x40 rectangular bin with mom and 40+ slings. They often crawl all over her.

I feed both enclosures weekly offering feeders in small groups, like 3-4 crickets or roaches at a time, so everyone gets a chance. Still, it's not uncommon for them to wrestle food from each other, literally tearing the food items apart. Eventually everyone gets a piece.

View attachment 59847View attachment 59848

Thanks so much for the info that's really helpful Interesting that they don't need to be sac mates as long as you rehouse them together.

 

[sparxx91980]

Thanks so much for the info that's really helpful Interesting that they don't need to be sac mates as long as you rehouse them together.

I think about it like this...If I dropped someone off at your house and he walked into your bedroom and went to sleep in your bed, you'd probably be pretty ticked off. but if I took the two of you and dropped you off at a house that neither of you knew, you'd probably be drinking beers together and joking around day by the end of the 1st day.

 

[octanejunkie]

I think about it like this...If I dropped someone off at your house and he walked into your bedroom and went to sleep in your bed, you'd probably be pretty ticked off. but if I took the two of you and dropped you off at a house that neither of you knew, you'd probably be drinking beers together and joking around day by the end of the 1st day.

Isn't that basically the plot of Saw?

 

[dexjones0612]

Looking for a couple of these to go with one i have coming in the mail. Anyone know where I could find at a reasonable price?

 

[liquidfluidity]

They seem to be extremely hit and miss as of late. Even very few at shows and still expensive as I never see individual slings, only groups.

Octane - as for feeding, I tend to throw 1 feeder each plus a couple. Mine are around the 2" mark and seem to be doing very well, maybe even a little chunky. What's your thoughts about feeding in this manner?

 

[octanejunkie]

They seem to be extremely hit and miss as of late. Even very few at shows and still expensive as I never see individual slings, only groups.

Octane - as for feeding, I tend to throw 1 feeder each plus a couple. Mine are around the 2" mark and seem to be doing very well, maybe even a little chunky. What's your thoughts about feeding in this manner?

I dump in a handful at a time and let the spiders sort it all out

Looking for a couple of these to go with one i have coming in the mail. Anyone know where I could find at a reasonable price?

I have several extra I could part with. Send me a PM

 

[Tarantula Trooper]

I think about it like this...If I dropped someone off at your house and he walked into your bedroom and went to sleep in your bed, you'd probably be pretty ticked off. but if I took the two of you and dropped you off at a house that neither of you knew, you'd probably be drinking beers together and joking around day by the end of the 1st day.

Lol, dat funny!!! Lol

 

[Gizalba]

I think about it like this...If I dropped someone off at your house and he walked into your bedroom and went to sleep in your bed, you'd probably be pretty ticked off. but if I took the two of you and dropped you off at a house that neither of you knew, you'd probably be drinking beers together and joking around day by the end of the 1st day.

Very interesting analysis of the possible social psychology of humans/spiders ahaha!

 

[Ratmosphere]

Way different vibe than Arachnoboards on this topic, haha.

 

[liquidfluidity]

Way different vibe than Arachnoboards on this topic, haha.

Bit more laid back or something else?

 

[bwhatch2]

Arachnoboards

never heard of it

 

[Gizalba]

Bit more laid back or something else?

Way different vibe than Arachnoboards on this topic, haha.

I am curious, what is the arachnoboards vibe?! Ahaha, never got round to joining that site.

 

[liquidfluidity]

I have to say that I am a member there also - a long time member. I may have joined there before here. Yes I agree that there is a different vibe but will have to stop there as I know that there are many members here that are also members there and I'm not about to step on toes....

 

[bwhatch2]

I am pretty sure you don't need to be a member there to look at the forums. head over and check some of the threads out, especially ones dealing with m. balfouris, and you can form your own opinion.

 

[Ratmosphere]

All I gotta say is it's a WAY different vibe than this forum. Don't get me wrong, I love my AB people.

 

[Tarantula Trooper]

I have visited AB at times but I am not a member. My take is AB is supposed to be invertcentric and T forum more Tcentric if you will. But there are ,of course, places for other things here as well. So Cool!